Bizzle, the Christian rapper from Houston who is best known for targeting a song at Jay-Z questioning Hov’s dark imagery and Jesus-related lyrics, released a new album today that is currently in the #10 position of iTunes Hip-Hop/Rap charts.

Since “Explaining to Do” hit WorldStarHipHop.com over a year ago, the passionate MC has developed a sizable fanbase through his free Messenger mixtape series and furious retweets (RTs) of compliments from fans including mainstream artists like Malice (from The Clipse) and MC Hammer.

Tough Love and Parables is Bizzle’s first full album and includes production from Houstonians Beanz N Kornbread (who have made hits for rappers Z-Ro and Paul Wall) and Canada’s Boi-1da (who recently won Grammys with Eminem and Drake.)

The album started its chart ascent earlier today despite reports from some fans about technical issues with iTunes’ download service.

And interestingly enough, to hit the #1 position Bizzle’s package of Christian poems will have to unseat an album titled Hell: The Sequelby Bad Meets Evil – the side project from Eminem and Royce Da 5’9″.

UPDATE: As of 4:30pm, Bizzle’s album was holding down the #8 spot on iTunes’ Hip-Hop/Rap chart.